Brent Wallarab in Conversation with CJ Shearn
For this edition of the podcast taped in May 2016, I interviewed trombonist and educator Brent Wallarab of Indiana University in advance of the release of Basically Baker, Volume 2 (Patois Records, 2016). The giant of jazz education David Baker, who had worked in George Russell’s ensemble making it one of the most distinctive in the music gave his all to his fellow students. In particular Baker’s writing is special, and the music on the new album from the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra is a crack group made up of musicians who had personal connections with Baker. Among the musicians are Dave Stryker and Randy Brecker, and they contribute to a terrific unified whole. This podcast went perhaps deeper on the subject of jazz education than any other episode of this podcast and Mr. Wallarab is extremely articulate in expressing his passion. Additional thanks to Braithwaite and Katz for coordinating the interview.
I have been the staff writer for the New York Jazz Workshop School of Music blog in midtown Manhattan since 2014, and that has broadened my freelance writing skills considerably. In addition to writing artist bios, and articles of interest that pertain to the mission of the school, I have interviewed (in print on the site) legendary guitarist and NEA Jazz Master Pat Metheny, trumpeter Cuong Vu, and in 2015 embarked on producing a podcast for the school where I have achieved my dream and interviewed jazz giants such as Dave Liebman, Lenny White, rising talents like Thana Alexa, Logan Richardson, guitarist and bassist Brian Kastan, among others. I also work on SEO optimization for the blog. In 2015 I started my blog Jazz Views with CJ Shearn, and have written liner notes for 5 time Grammy winner and Oscar and Golden Globe nominee, Antonio Sanchez (for his latest recording “Channels of Energy”) and guitarist Gene Ess for his latest recording, scheduled to be released in November 2018.
My passion for jazz music is what drives me, which is an interest I’ve had since I can remember. I initially began writing about jazz at the age of 13 for my high school newspaper, and in my late teens contributed occasionally to jazzreview.com. In college I was member of the Harpur Jazz Project which brought jazz acts to campus. I’ve also contributed in the past to AllAboutJazz where I was mentored by John Kelman. I decided to focus on my passion for jazz music journalism after a job in the social services field as a caseworker went south, and as a person with a physical disability I work on going against the odds, living independently and having accomplished things people had said I’d never do.